Brother Fish

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 31 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of The Power of One comes an inspiring human drama and war story of three lives brought together and changed forever by the extraordinary events of recent history. Inspired by real events, Bryce Courtenay's new novel tells the story of three people from vastly differing backgrounds. All they have in common is a tough beginning in life. Jack McKenzie is a harmonica player, soldier, dreamer, and small-time professional fisherman from a tiny island in Bass Strait. Nicole Lenoir-Jourdan is a strong-willed woman hiding from an ambiguous past in Shanghai. Larger than life, Private Jimmy Oldcorn was once a street kid and leader of a New York gang. Together, they reap a vast and not always legitimate fortune from the sea. Narrated by celebrated, award-winning actor Humphrey Bower.

©2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty. Ltd

Critic reviews

• 2005 Audie Award Nominee, Literary Fiction

Wonderful story.......amazing reader

The voice of the reader is the most incredible. You sometimes have to bang your head to remember that only one voice is doing all the characters. He is amazing. And the story is rich with history, love, passion, fight for the rights of humanity.......it has it all. Great book.

At first I was not sure.

At first I got a bit board with the war stories but after several hours and then the capture I realized that the story had to come together and that was the glue. It was a compelling story of so many different lives that continued to captivate me. In all honesty, I thought the story would never end and I did not want it to.
Having lived in the north Queensland for years I got to realize what the country folk were like and I hardly ever met an Aussie that did not think "everyone" was a friend. And that in all, People are People no matter where you are.
I Loved all the characters as real people.

Quickly became my favorite book.

I’ve listened to over 20 audiobooks since March most i’ve really enjoyed but this is the first review i’m leaving thats how much I enjoyed the book. I listen to audiobooks as i make my way through my LA commute and this book made me sit in my car after a few times after i had arrived. Both the narration and story telling were amazing as i became a instant fan of both Bryce Courtenay and Humphrey Bower. Great book Great value for the credit. Just get it.

Brother fish

What a pleasure listening to an excellent book with a splendid story line. So much compassion, depth, twists, history and facts. Enjoyed every minute

loved this story

kept my interest. made me curiouse. made me cry. well worth the time. Enjoy it.

Sorry I didn’t listen before!

Beautifully told, wonderfully scribed and researched. Wasn’t sure about the war material but astonished by the details and painful history of the Korean War. The racial issues were highlighted throughout, the inequality and rejection of people of colour. Please read. Truly a credit to Mr Courtney a Master of the multi generational story.

He does it again!

Once again Bryce Courtney carries the day, to say nothing of the ever magnificent Humphrey Bower. It took me weeks to listen to this book, simply because I rationed it out over time. I did not want it to end. As other reviewers have mentioned, it's almost like 3 or 4 different novels in one.

Humphrey Bower is a tour de force in narration. In this novel he excelled, whether in providing good approximations of Korean, Chinese, Russian, Irish,deep southern drawl, German and Polish (probably missed a half dozen) accents. He also sings well enough to carry those portions of the story. Don't miss this book.

The best book I have read in many years

If I could only recommend ONE book for the summer, this would be it! There was not a single minute in this 4 volume story that I did not listen to with interest. Great, engaging story, masterfully read!

Wonderful story with factual settings.

I was enthralled with this audiobook, especially with the historical facts of the Korean War, some facts of China where I have worked (and ate dog) and Hong Kong with similarities to Malaysia (how to carry one's purse securely) where I have worked also. I found myself unsatisfied with the narrative to the extent I was looking up Tasmania and "King's Island" in the web to further my understanding of the story.
The characters are a little "true blue" but the tale certainly carries it's heroes to the finish line in true heroic style.

Exceptional!

This is my first Courtney Bryce work, and I am now hooked. How have I missed this author before??? The skill used to pull such a complex story together and to create such lovable characters has my jaw on the floor. I laughed. I cried. A recommended read for anyone who likes meaty stories .